Touring Bilbao

The walking tour started in Arriaga Plaza, near the theatre.  The guide was enthusiastic and knowledgeable so it was an interesting couple of hours learning more about the development of Bilbao, with a specific focus on the old town.  

The guide had given some recommendations for restaurants with a Menu del dia, but a check of google reviews showed that she must have shared them with many tourists and not all were that impressed.  Instead we found Dando la Brasa just around the corner.  An excellent choice, as we had the most amazing meals for less than 20 euros each, with the restaurant declaring it had a focus on “providing creativity and local products”. 

We elected to buy a return ticket on the funicular, rather than walk up the mountain, to enjoy the view down to Bilbao.  It was only a short walk from the station to the Guggenheim museum, and we passed the Sirgueras (the rope girls), a work that pays tribute to the women who used ropes to tow vessels along the estuary.

A giant spider sculpture stood next to the museum, with Jeff Koons puppy standing sentry near the entrance.  We had allowed plenty of time to explore the museum and managed to view all the exhibitions, starting with the permanent collection then touring the temporary exhibitions, including Helen Frankenthaler: Painting without Rules, Masterpieces on Paper from Budapest and Tarsil do Amaral: Painting modern Brazil.  

We took a different route home, via the Plaza de Don Frederico Moyua with the gardens in full bloom.  Dinner was bread, ham and cheese, followed by the rest of the gelato, noting that Gelati Gelati was recommended by the guide as the best icecream in Bilbao. 

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